Domestic mink

Domestic mink
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Carnivora
Family:	Mustelidae
Genus:	Neogale
Species:	N. vison
Subspecies:	N. v. domesticus
Trinomial name
Neogale vison domesticus Decuypere, 2011

Domestic mink (Neogale vison domesticus) are a domesticated, carnivorous mammal, bred for hunting and pest control. Domestic mink differ from their wild ancestors, the American mink, in fur colour, size, thicker pelts, and higher tranquility.^[1] Domesticated mink come from fur farms, and are the most common animal raised for their fur, with over 50 million ones farmed annually.^[2]

Feral mink populations have been introduced worldwide, as several domestic mink have escaped fur farms and established themselves in the wild. Domestic mink are considered an invasive species in Europe, as they are harming several native species such as the European mink, Pyrenean desman, and water voles.^[3] Female minks are called sows, males are called boars, and babies are called kits.^[4][5] Domestic mink were initially placed in the genus Mustela, reclassified into Neovison in 2000, and finally Neogale in 2021.